Simple, easy diagnosis
The good news is that doesn’t have to happen. The first step is diagnosis—and PAD is relatively simple to detect, using a blood pressure test called an ankle brachial index (ABI). “It’s a blood pressure reading (using a slightly modified device) on your leg.
You lie on a table and we take the blood pressure both in your arm and in your leg,” Lieberman explains. “Since both your arms and legs are using the same circulatory system, both readings should match exactly—or at least be fairly close.”
On your feet
Your risk is heightened if you smoke or have diabetes, both of which affect your circulatory system.
Fortunately, treatment options for PAD keep improving. “A good walking program is still the cornerstone of effective PAD treatment,” says Lieberman. “It stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, called collaterals. Walk until your legs start to cramp, then rest, then start again.”
The enclosed walkways and well-equipped Fitness Centers at communities built and managed by Erickson are very conducive to a walking program, but if you don’t have access to them, you can get a home treadmill. Better yet, join a class that walks an indoor track or a mall. The latter is an option Lieberman heartily recommends: “It’ll give you a commitment to maintain your exercise and it provides social interaction.”
If bad knees or other problems make walking less viable, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist. The odds are they can recommend options like a recumbent bike and pool walking. The latter is good, Lieberman says, because it provides support while “the water gives you resistance to walk against.”
Other treatments
Improved treatments for PAD keep appearing. Lieberman says, “A drug called Pletal has been shown to improve walking distance in people with PAD.”
The less invasive procedure used for heart disease—balloon angioplasty—has been adapted for unclogging leg arteries. “You’re in and out in 24 hours instead of the three-month recuperation you used to face,” says Lieberman.
Such catheter-based technologies may allow patients to avoid major surgery. Of course, always talk to your doctor about these options.
And that’s the best advice of all. Start talking to your doctor. Get that simple leg pressure reading and begin a good PAD prevention program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your risk for PAD?
There are 8 to 12 million Americans at risk for PAD. Are you one of them? Take a look at the following checklist:
Age—Your risk rises at age 50, and by age 70, 20% of adults have PAD
Family history—You may be more prone to problems like high cholesterol
High cholesterol—Your risk of PAD rises 10% for every 10 point increase in your total cholesterol
Smoking—Increases your risk two to five times, with 90% of PAD patients being current or former smokers
High blood pressure—Doubles your risk
Diabetes—Your risk for PAD is three to four times that of the average person
Obesity—Increases your likelihood of other risk factors, like high cholesterol and diabetes
High homocysteine levels—The lack of certain B-vitamins, like folic acid and B-12, can boost levels of homocysteine (an amino acid)
While you can’t change your age or family history, you can change your other risk factors and perhaps lessen the effect age or family history has on your PAD risk. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
To discuss this story, click here!